Traffic signal for vehicles



1927. June J. E. LOCK TRAFFIC SIGNAL FOR VEHICLES Filed Sept. 14, 1926 gwoe'ni'oz fizz Zlocj Patented June 7, 1927.

OFFICE,

xxironnan. LocK, OEIILOWELL,MASSACHUSETTS? v I Q v grrtArric $1GNAL .r on vnnicnns vThis invention relates toftrafiic signals for iehicles and has for an-object to provide a signal embodying new andimproved mechanical features and movements, "insuring improved facility, accuracy and reliability in the actuation of'signalsf p A further object of the invention is to provide a whollymechanical signal operating simultaneously at the frontand rear of the vehicle and operated by a swaying' mo'- tion of the kneeslof the operator. I A further object of the invention is top rovidea knee operatingorganization adjustable for different drivers. i Yith these and other objects: in view, the

, invention comprises" certain novel parts, el'e' ments, units, combinations, constructions, interactions, mechanical movements and functions 'asdi'sclose'din the drawings together with mechanical and functional equivalents thereof as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed. 3

In the drawings: I I Figure 1 is a view. showing in dotted lines the side elevation of a vehicle with the invention applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a view of the mechanism of each of the similar signals.

Figure 3 is a view of one of the signals shown in vertical section and the associated operating mechanism seen largely in side elevation. Figure 1 is a sectional view taken on line 41- 1 of Figure 3 showing the connection between the knee operated rod and the signal operating rod.

Figure 5 is a View of the exposed side of the signaling hand, showing the reflector carried thereby.

Like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The improved mechanism which formsthe subject matter of this application is intended to comprise similar signaling units operated at the front and rear of an automotive vehicle, indicated conventionally in dotted lines at A. The front and rear signaling units are indicated as entireties respectively at B and C. B and G are similar and each comprises a plate erupright mounted upon some rigid part of the vehicle as for instance upon the bumper 11. Extending longitudinally from the unit B to the unit-C is a rod 12 carrying upon each end an arm 13 rigidly connected to therod 1:2 in any approved manner as by the set end with a wrist pin 15.

' Fulcrumed above the shaft- 12 theplate 10 from a fixed pivot 16 is alever 17 slotte d at its lower end, asindicated at :to

brace the wrist pin 15.,

- screwilt and provided at its normally' upper Pivoted also upon the plate 10 are a pair of arms 19 and 20, their pivoting being respectively adjacentthe upper'end ofJthe plate at 21 and "22. Thearms 19 and'QO are provided with rigidpins 23. and .ZLbearindicatingthe purposefor'which' they are 7 designed will terminate in hands' 25' and 26 w th pointing index fingers 27' and 28, and will also'bc provided withieflectors' 29 of the type already well known for reflecting a light approaching, so that at night, when the vehicle is approaching in the rear, the headlights of the approaching vehicle Will illuminate the reflector to attract attention of the operator of the approaching vehicle to the signaling apparatus.

referably also, the units will be completed as representing manikins or human figures of some kind, preferably the efligy of a trailic oflicer.

Upon the steering column 30 of the car, a rod 31 will be mounted to oscillate by means of collars 32 and 33 clamped upon the steering column and furnishin journaling for the shaft 31. Upon the shaft 31 a crank arm 34 will be rigidly but adjustably fixed and from this crank arm 34 a link 35 will extend to, a crank arm 36 rigidly secured to the shaft 12.

Thead'justment of the crank arm 34 upon the shaft 31 may'beaccomplished by any usual and ordinary mechanical means,a set screw 37 being shown for the purpose. When the set screw 37 is loosened, the shaft 31 may be raised or lowered relative to the clamps 32 and 33 and secured in any approved position so that the ball or other desired termination 38 upon the end of the arm 39 may be so positioned as to be conveniently operated by the swaying motion of the knees of the operator.

In operation, the arms 19 and 20 will normally stand at the position shown in full lines at Figure 2. When the operator is approaching a corner that he proposes to turn, a swaying of the knees in the elected direction willengage against the ball 38 and will oscillate the shaft 81, therewith the crank arm 34: and by the link connection 35 will also actuate the crank arm 36 and'the rod.

12. Assuming that the signaling unit shown at Figure 2 is the rear signal and that the proposed turn is a left. hand. turn,v the arm 20 will swing in the direction indicated by the, arrowto the dottedline position 20. This swinging motion isbrought about by the oscillation of the rod 12- in the manner hereinbefore described operating upon the crank arm 13, moving. it in the direction indicated by the arrow on said arm. This will of therodSL by thcball 88 in the opposite direction. will operate thev several parts to vthrowv thefarmclS) to signaling position in stead? of'thearm 20. It will be noted also that the arms19 and 20 are not connected with: the ,lever. 17 butthat, the pins 23 and 24 merely bear against the side edges of said lever and that the lever is, therefore, capable of leaving either of said arms while it actuates the other tosignaling position.

It is obvious, of course, that the rod 12 extending the-entire length of the vehicle, the front, and rear signals B and C will be similarly and simultaneously operated.

lVhat I claimuto be new is; V

i A. traffic signal for vehicles comprising front and rear similar signaling units, a 1'0- tatably journaled rod! ext-ending longitudinally of the vehicle and operatively-connected with both of said signaling units, a shaft extending along the steeringcolumn ofthe vehicle, an, arm carried by the shaft positioned normally between the knees of the operator, and adapted to be oscillated in either direction by swaying action of the knees, connecting; means adapted to transmit the oscillation, from the shaft to the rod, and means to adjust the steeering columnshaftlongitudinally for the accommodation of drivers ofdi'fi'erent phy'siques.

Intestimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JOHN E. ooK." 

